Thursday, 3 May 2012

Think Water and Fiber

Another good example isgrapes vs. raisins. Fill a cup with
juicy, fresh grapes and snack away: the entire cup contains only 104 calories.
But fill that same cup with raisins and step away from the table, because the
cup of raisins contains 434 calories. Fresh fruit fills you up with fewer
calories because it’s full of water and fiber, the magic formula for low energy
density. Dried fruit, like the raisins, contains little water; it’s denser with
calories (and, often, concentrated sugars).

Whole grainscooked in water also are low-density
foods that satisfy us with fewer calories. Cooked oatmeal, brown rice and
couscous are three popular grains that are considered low-density because they
absorb water in the cooking. And getting our water by way of cooked whole
grains (carbs! yes!) can be a lot more satisfying than merely drinking a glass
with our meals.